Quai Branly's 2026–2027 Stage Season Spotlights Inuit, Ainu and African Voices
The 2026–2027 season at musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac in Paris kicks off on 10-11 October 2026, spotlighting the Pacific Northwest. Live art will be presented by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, accompanied by improvisations from Ernst Reijseger. On 11 October, Laura Ortman will provide an improvisational score for Edward S. Curtis's 1914 film. Mid-November will feature performances by Aalaapi on 14 November and Elisapie on 15 November. The Cambodian Sbek Thom shadow theatre is scheduled for 5-6 December. On 27 January 2027, the upopoy troupe will showcase Ainu songs and dances. In March, Moroccan choreographer Radouan Mriziga will present his work. The spring season wraps up with « Rois et reines d'Afrique » events from 24 April to 30 May. Ticket prices range from 8 to 25 €, and advance booking is recommended.
Key facts
- The 2026–2027 performance season runs at the théâtre Claude Lévi-Strauss of the musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac in Paris.
- Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas draws live on 10–11 October 2026, in resonance with the exhibition « Premières Nations » (29 September–17 January).
- Ernst Reijseger improvises alongside Yahgulanaas; Laura Ortman improvises on 11 October over Edward S. Curtis's 1914 film Au pays des chasseurs de têtes.
- Aalaapi, meaning « faire silence pour entendre quelque chose de beau » in Inuktitut, is staged on 14 November, with Elisapie performing the next day.
- Cambodian Sbek Thom shadow theatre performs Reamker episodes on 5–6 December.
- The upopoy troupe and Mayunkiki with the Surge Orchestra perform on 27 January 2027, echoing the exhibition « Aïnous ».
- Radouan Mriziga receives carte blanche in March with nine pieces responding to nine collection objects.
- Spring programming includes Rokia Traoré (24 April), Bassekou Kouyaté and Amy Sacko (25 April), Aïssa Maïga in Ségou, le pouvoir des femmes (22 May), Oumou Sangaré (28–29 May) and the Thanda Choir honouring Miriam Makeba (30 May); tickets are 25, 20, 15 and 8 €.
Entities
Artists
- Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas
- Ernst Reijseger
- Werner Herzog
- Laura Ortman
- Edward S. Curtis
- Elisapie
- Radouan Mriziga
- Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker
- Rokia Traoré
- Soundiata Keïta
- Bassekou Kouyaté
- Amy Sacko
- Mah Damba
- Flopy
- Aïssa Maïga
- Maryse Condé
- Théo Ceccaldi
- Oumou Sangaré
- Miriam Makeba
- Mayunkiki
Institutions
- musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac
- théâtre Claude Lévi-Strauss
- Surge Orchestra
- upopoy
- La Litanie des cimes
- Thanda Choir
- Festival d'automne
- Festival d'Avignon
- Beaux Arts
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Arctic
- Mali
- Mandé
- Haida Gwaii
- British Columbia
- Canada
- Nunavik
- Salluit
- Cambodia
- Hokkaido
- Japan
- Morocco
- Cape Town
- South Africa
- Ségou
- Wassoulou